Agri-ed, A Terrific Turriff Show

 Community, Featured, Information  2 Responses »
Aug 082013
 

Turriff’s resident population of 5,743 received a welcome boost over the weekend of 4 and 5 August when the 149th annual Turriff Show was held at The Haughs, just outside the town centre. The Turra Show as it is called locally, is one of the highlights of the farming and agricultural year in NE Scotland, and quite rightly so, writes Duncan Harley.

Turriff Show 2013 Stock

Farming folk from all over the UK descend on the town during the show weekend seeking livestock prizes, farming machinery and, quite frankly, lots of fun. Bargains are struck, tractors and combines are purchased and, just occasionally, wedding matches are made – just as they have been for the last century and a half of the Show’s history.

With a claimed entries total of over 802 horses and ponies plus some 43 goats on the Sunday, over 450 cattle and 580 sheep, including the return of the Bluefaced Leicester Progeny Show sheep, Turra Show is perhaps the biggest show of its kind in Scotland still going strong after 150 years of traditional agricultural shows.

The Open Dog Show on the Sunday, complete with the ever popular rabbit and cavy sections, is now affiliated and upgraded to 2-star official status. Added to this, the poultry show and the popular Companion Dog event on the Monday makes this a completely irresistible event for the non-agricultural breeders and pet fanciers of the area.

The quite exciting sideshows, funfair and extreme catering franchises also make Turra a Mecca for those seeking a weekend of bacchanalian beer and wine-soaked revelry.

Turriff Show 2013 Pipe Band

With over 249 trade stands, a very well attended food fayre plus the indoor shopping mall to tour around, Turra Show is a family fun-filled affair indeed. The show exhibition hall with its lifestyle theme and the ever popular home cookery demonstrations will, as ever, attract the homemakers.

And why not?

Those seeking extreme fun should head for that Special Forestry Area and the Special Educational Area to entertain and even educate the children amongst us.

The Industrial Marquee at Turra Show is one of the largest in the country with over 1745 home-based craft exhibits and an excellent horticultural show featuring large turnips and a few enormous marrows to salivate over.

The Turriff Show is always a veritable feast and a huge fun weekend for all the family. Each of the two show days has an extensive ringside entertainment programme with many special attractions including in 2013, the awesome Quad and Motorcycle Flying Daredevil Stunt Show by Jason Smythe’s Adrenaline Tour.

Turriff Show 2013 Adrenaline Tour

Jason comes from a professional racing background in Motocross. He started competing when he was seven, progressing from multiple regional champion to British schoolboy champion, British amateur support class winner before turning pro at eighteen.

In the professional ranks he has competed in all three classes at World Championship, 125cc, 250cc and 500cc and the World Supercross Tour as well as becoming Luxembourg national champion.

At Turriff, Jason thrilled the crowd by powering his quad bike over 31ft in the air above his articulated rig before landing safely, to loud applause.

On Sunday, Turra’s family day featured some exciting Terrier Racing with Cyril the Squirrel, fine sulky-trotting, pony carriage driving and of course the famous Turriff Pipe Band.

Turriff Show 2013

The same day’s Showground grand finale was, as always, the Vintage Tractor and Vehicle Parade featuring agricultural vehicles from the past century, including vintage Fergusons and the local Anderson collection of Field Marshall Tractors.

A sight to salivate over indeed!

On Turra Monday the Parade of Champions was, as is fitting, a splendid climax to what must be the finest surviving agricultural show in NE Scotland.

Norman Christie of Woodside Croft, Kinnellar, Aberdeenshire came best of show in the 2012 Turra Show with his Clydesdale Anguston Amber and in this years show Norman’s quite majestic Amber Anguston came show best reserve.

This year’s best of show was Arradoul Ellie May from Buckie owned by Ian Young. The cattle “Aberdeen Angus” section was headed by Idevies Kollar of Ellon and the British Blonde champian was Whistley Dollar entered by former Turra Show chief Eric Mutch. The sheep and goats also won prizes but were unnamed as were the cavies.

Turriff, of course gained international fame almost 100 years ago as the Scottish town which stubbornly resisted Lloyd George’s National Insurance Act and its provisions for medical and unemployment benefits for farm workers and their families.

Both Lloyd George’s Liberal government and the Marxists of the time rallied against the stance of Robert Patterson of Lendrum Farm who, perhaps unwittingly, became both the focus and the willing local hero of this often humorous but politically quite sad affair. That of course is another side of the Turriff of years gone by.

The anniversary of the Turra Coo is fast approaching though, but that’s another story.

Further Reading.

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Fun Day Celebrates Re-launch Of Torry Sports Complex

 Aberdeen City, Community, Information  No Responses »
Aug 012013
 

With thanks to Stevie Kearney.

torry-fun-day-2-jpg

A previously under-used Torry sports facility is set for a grand re-opening this weekend thanks to the work of people from the community and the generosity of several local organisations.

This Saturday, August 3rd, from 10am-3pm, Torry Outdoor Sports Centre on Victoria Road will play host to a family fun day featuring football and tennis coaching, bowling demonstrations, kids’ games, live music, refreshments, stalls, raffles and a guest appearance from Angus the Bull.

The project to re-launch the sports space has been pioneered by volunteers from Old Torry Community Centre and they’ve received backing from many local groups, including Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen Football Club, Dee Football Club, Tennis Scotland, Station House Media Unit and local Police.

A generous donation for tennis equipment was provided by PK Hydraulics Ltd, which has paid for high-quality new racquets, balls and training equipment.

The space – which includes two bowling greens and a multi-purpose all-weather area with three tennis courts and a football pitch – is a community facility but has not been widely used in recent times. The fun day aims to get Torry locals along to help launch a new programme of sports and social events every night of the week, with everybody welcome.

Angus the Bull will be there for the opening at 10am but needs to leave at 10:30 for his match day duties at Pittodrie, so parents are encouraged to bring kids down early. Aberdeen FC have also donated a strip and football, signed by Dons forward Niall McGinn.

David Fryer, of Old Torry Community Centre, said:

“We have organised this special fun day so that folk can take advantage of the facilities that are close at hand, try a sport for the first time with a coach, join in a friendly game or just relax and watch others having some fun.”

“We greatly appreciate the helping hands of Sport Aberdeen, Tennis Scotland, Aberdeen Football Club, PK Hydraulics, Dee Football Club, Station House Media Unit, local bowlers, and from many folk in Torry in making this all happen.”

Nigel Spencer, Outdoor Services Manager at Sport Aberdeen, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Old Torry Community Centre on this project and hopefully some good weather will help make for a very successful re-launch of the Torry Outdoor Sports Centre”.

Football coaching and matches take place from 10am to 12 noon, with tennis coaching for all ages from 1pm – 3pm. There will be live music at 12 noon from local singer-songwriter Alana Wyness.

For more information, you can find Old Torry Community Centre on Facebook, or email oldtorry@gmail.com

Beyond 18 September 2014

 Community, Information, Opinion  5 Responses »
Jul 182013
 

I am pro-independence and an active supporter of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, says Steve Boyle whose article, he states, is not intended to be political, rather a means of initiating discussion.

scotland
On 18 September next year Scotland will vote on independence, and although both sides are campaigning hard, some thought needs to be given to what may transpire after the vote.

Should the poll be in favour of an independent Scotland, then on 19 September 2014 we can start with a clean slate. We need to consider what steps we should take to turn Scotland in to a 21st century democracy.

Constitutionally speaking

There is no real UK constitution at the moment. Most people believe that they have freedom of speech and other protected rights, but the limited protections they do have come from European law (Article 10) which became the Human Rights Act 1998.

Independence is a chance to start again from scratch. To this end, a constitutional committee should be set up using resources from the UK and international organisations as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The committee outputs should then be voted on by the people, rather than politicians, before being passed into law.

This will be a chance to make Scotland one of the fairest countries in the world.

Electoral System

Is first-past-the-post the best voting system for a small country? There are many different voting systems and variations of the main three, each of which has its pros and cons:

–          majority rule

–          proportional representation

–          plurality voting

I’m no expert on these and have no specific favourite, but individual explanations of each can be found on the internet. A voting system utilised for 64 million people may not be the best system for a population of 5 million people. In Switzerland for example, where the population numbers just under 8 million, a system of half-direct democracy is used.

Under this system, the population has a more direct say on policy by voting directly on many topics. This does, however, mean that people have to turn out at the polls, or vote electronically, far more often.

The Parliament

I will not comment on the building here; we are stuck with it. However, we should review the set-up of the Parliament. Is the current system the right one for an independent Scotland or can we do better?

What Else?

Is the offer of independence on its own enough, or do we need to decide how to get the country’s future right and have plans in place to deliver this future, before 19 September next year? I don’t hear politicians from both side of the debate asking the questions I’m posing. We cannot afford to walk blindly into such an important decision for Scotland and the rest of the Union.

As this is a once-in-a-lifetime option, it is only right that there is a fair and frank discussion on what the future should hold and what shape this future should be. This discussion needs to be held at grassroots level and not left to self-serving politicians. Now is the correct time to look at the big changes and, if necessary, prepare for them.

We have the opportunity to live in one of the most egalitarian and democratic countries in the world. If we do not take this opportunity, we may have failed, regardless of the result.

It’s time to talk.
www.eff.org/about

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Taking The Waters At Logie Coldstone

 Community, Information  2 Responses »
Jun 282013
 

By Duncan Harley.

wells-of-poldhu-duncan-harley
Robert Burns died on 21st July 1796 at the early age of 37. There are many theories as to the cause of his death, ranging from venereal disease to rheumatic fever.
The years of hard labour he spent as a tenant farmer must also have taken their toll and the severe winter of 1795 must have exacerbated his already poor health.

In a final effort to regain good health, the bard was advised by his doctor, William Maxwell, to visit Brow Well near Dumfries, there to drink the spring water which contained the mineral chalybeate which was then widely believed to have good and curative properties.

On July fourth 1796, Burns duly drank the foul tasting water from the iron cup attached to the well and seemingly also waded chest deep into the freezing cold tidal waters of the Solway Firth. An event famously commemorated many years later by the ceramicist Bill Brown of Glasgow School of Art who produced a series of ceramic plates depicting Burns taking the water on the Solway Firth with the, now decommissioned, Chapelcross Nuclear Power Station as a backdrop.

In a final letter to his friend Alexander Cunningham Burns wrote:

“Alas! My friend, I fear the voice of the Bard will soon be heard among you no more! For these eight or ten months I have been ailing, sometimes bed-fast & sometimes not; but these last three months I have been tortured with an excruciating rheumatism which has reduced me to nearly the last stage.

“You actually would not know me if you saw me. Pale, emaciated, and so feeble as occasionally to need help from my chair — my spirits fled! Fled! — but I can no more on the subject — only the medical folks tell me that my last & only chance is bathing & country quarters & riding.”

It is perhaps little wonder really, that Burns died within days of his so called “curative” water treatment experience and he was of course duly buried in Dumfries on 25th July 1796.

Medical bathing, also called balneology, or hydrotherapy, was an approach popular with physicians in Burns’ time with various medical proponents claiming that exposure to mineral waters might well improve certain diseases and indeed effect cures where all other treatments had failed.

In the 16th and 17th centuries mineral springs became popular among royalty and the well-to-do. Many wealthy land owners built health spas on their estates and would invite the good and the great to take the waters for medicinal and recreational purposes.

wells-of-poldhu-duncan-harley2
A sort of hot tub experience, but without the heat perhaps.

Ordinary people would also “take the waters” at local mineral springs for relaxation or to seek specific cures.

Physicians even began to set up shop beside the spas and would often recommend specific water treatments such as baths, steam, douches and of course the drinking of the spa waters to their patients.

The book “A Dissertation on the Use of Seawater in Diseases of the Glands” published in 1750 by one Dr. Richard Russell, remained a popular reference book on the subject for several decades and it may well have influenced Dr. Maxwell, who famously recommended that Robert Burns try the springs at Dumfries’s Brow Well as well as the freezing dip in the Solway Firth.

In recent years however, interest in the historic site has been revived

Logie Coldstone in Aberdeenshire is home to the little known Poldhu Wells. The granite-lined mineral springs of Poldhu Wells were once believed to have curative properties and were, for a long period, a popular attraction for those seeking healing waters to cure them of “scorubic and gravelish disorders”.

The wells are mentioned in the First Statistical Account of Scotland (1791-99) and are there described as:

“a mineral spring in the parish of Logie Coldstone, a little to the south of the church, called Poldow, which in Gaelic, signifies ‘a Black Pool’, the water of which some years ago was much, and successfully, used for scorbutic and gravelish disorders”.

By the Second Statistical Account (1834-45) interest appears to have somewhat waned and the wells were said to be “occasionally resorted to by some, for the benefit of their health, and by others for amusement”.  Gradually interest in the Poldhu Wells appears to have largely become confined to those living in the immediate locality.

The great gale of 1953 caused widespread damage in the North East and the woodland around Logie Coldstone and Poldhu Wells was devastated when the violent storms brought down the trees around the site and with time, a rhododendron thicket enveloped the wells and hid them from sight of the casual observer.

Over the next fifty-five years or so an accumulation of leaf mould and silt blocked the drainage outlets from the wells.

In recent years however, interest in the historic site has been revived following the chance discovery by members of the Cromar History Group of a 1912 postcard showing a vintage photograph of the Poldhu Wells. Following this discovery, the group decided they wanted to try and return the wells to their original historical condition.

During 2008, with the help of local contractors, Cairngorm National Park, Craigmyle Estate and funding from the Adopt a Monument fund, they have removed vegetation surrounding the wells, dug drains to take away water that was flowing from the forest floor above it, consolidated and refurbished the stonework, unblocked culverts and constructed new entries to the culverts.

A new path was also laid between the wells and a new bridge was built to replace the Victorian one that had vanished in around 1912.

In this modern age, It may well be that these quite delightful, natural mineral springs no longer have curative properties attributed to them, however they are certainly well worth seeking out, if only for a well deserved foot bath at the end of a days walking in the area.

I am sure Burns would approve.

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I Am Breathing – The Hard-hitting Story Of Neil Platt

 Community, Information  3 Responses »
Jun 282013
 

June is global Motor Neurone Disease awareness month. Aware that we are fast ‘running out of June’ Duncan Harley is moved to write and spread this awareness into July and hopefully beyond.

i-am-breathing2
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a fatal, rapidly progressive disease that can affect any adult at any time. The disease attacks the nerves that control movement; people can still think and feel but their muscles refuse to work, leaving them unable to move, walk, talk and ultimately breathe.

Five people die every day in the UK from MND and around half of those diagnosed die within 14 months. There is no diagnostic test, no effective treatment and no cure.

To increase awareness of this disease, the Motor Neurone Disease Association hope that as many people as possible will watch the film “I Am Breathing” during June 2013.

Winner of many awards in 2012 and 2013, the film is the hard-hitting true story of Neil Platt, a 33 year old British architect who developed motor neurone disease shortly after the birth of his son. Paralysed from the neck down and with only months to live, he tells his story to help raise awareness of this devastating disease and dedicates the film to his one year old son, Oscar.

Collaborating with filmmakers Emma Davie and Bafta Award winning Morag McKinnon, Neil used his remaining months to communicate about his illness. He also wrote a blog, ‘The Plattitude’, and committed himself to playing a part in making MND history by inspiring a community of people to spread information and awareness this fatal illness.

Part of this initiative to increase awareness of MND is the option to host an “I am breathing” showing in your own community, home or workplace.

I am breathing film trailer

Neil’s Blog “The Plattitude”: http://plattitude.co.uk/

You can find out more about the worldwide and local screenings of I am Breathing plus how to host a screen showing for your friends and neighbours at: http://www.mndassociation.org/news-and-events/Awareness+Month+2013/I+am+breathing.htm

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Torry River Dee Event 22 June

 Community, Information  No Responses »
Jun 212013
 

Aberdeen Harbour
With thanks to Suzanne Kelly.

Community groups will be walking routes through Torry  painting yellow fish next to drains that flow to the river.
This is to raise environmental awareness to what goes down our indoor/outdoor drains and how it affects the river and water treatment works.

The walk will end at Torry Battery with a dolphin watching session with the RSPB and food will be provided.

This is going to be great, come and join us! I hear Fish and Chips will be on offer…

Time: 12pm

Meeting at: Torry St Fittick’s Church

Duration: approx 1 hr

London Residency Opportunity For Scottish Artists

 Community, Information  No Responses »
Jun 212013
 

Peacock Visual Arts is proud once again to be the Scottish partner gallery of the Standpoint Futures Residency Programme.

studio
This offers artists working in Scotland the chance to spend a structured period of four to six weeks living and working in London, where Standpoint Gallery, an artists run gallery and studio complex in Hoxton, will, as well as providing studio and living accommodation, coordinate a programme of introductions to critics, curators and other artists.

There is also the possibility of an exhibition at Standpoint and, after the residency, of working with Peacock Visual Arts to create further new work.

The residencies will run from October 2013 to April 2014. Artists receive a modest per diem & travel allowance.

Deadline for applications is Monday 1st July, then interviews will take place at Standpoint on Monday 22nd July.

Application fee: £15.00

The panel will select 5 artists – one from Scotland, one from Wales, two from England, and one early career artist, who may be based anywhere in the UK.

To download more information from our website click here.

Standpoint website.

Standpoint Futures 2012 tumblr.

St Fittick’s Community Garden Set To Flourish

 Community, Events, Information  No Responses »
Jun 172013
 

With thanks to Ed Walker.

st-fitticks-garden-project-2
With the help of local community support and our Roots and Shoots team, Aberdeen Forward is about to launch the long awaited St Fittick’s garden project with a week of activities from Monday 17th to Friday 21st.

The local charity will begin to transform an area of wasteland into a community garden for everyone in the Torry community thanks to a grant of over £50,000 from the Landfill Communities Fund.

Andy Devine, Project Officer with Aberdeen Forward’s Roots and Shoots team said:-

“‘With the help of the Roots and Shoots team at Aberdeen Forward  and community groups such as the Grampian Police Cadet’s, we are going to build and install a set of  raised beds as part of the community garden which, when finished, will be an asset to the area as a whole.

“However, we also need your encouragement, help and support to make the project a reality and that is why we are running a community day on Thursday 20th June from 10am-2pm.”

The day will be a great opportunity for individuals, relevant community groups and organisations to come along and show support for the project and help out with small tasks such as bed filling, litter picking and stone picking. Other groups from around Aberdeen will also be present so aside from helping move the project forward, it will be a great chance to meet up with like minded groups from the neighbourhood.

Andy added:-

“Aberdeen Forward we believe in investing in the future of Aberdeen and that’s why we are giving the area over to the community so that they can take ownership of the garden and ensure it is looked after for the community to enjoy in the future.”

If you feel that your community group could perhaps get involved with helping out preserving the gardens for the future, or maybe you just want to express your thoughts on the project, get in touch with us at admin@aberdeenforward.org or 01224 560 360.

£50,000 Legacy Establishes Charity Carers’ Crisis Fund

 Community, Information  No Responses »
Jun 142013
 

With thanks to Claire McBain.

carer-vic-baxter-presenting-at-carers-week-2013-156a
Social care charity VSA’s Carers Service kick-started Carers’ Week 2013 (10 – 16 June) by launching a £50,000 Carers’ Crisis Fund, available to unpaid carers aged over 18 throughout Aberdeen city and shire thanks to a generous legacy.

At a lunch on Tuesday hosted in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, speakers  honoured local carers and, coinciding with the Carers’ Week 2013 theme ‘Prepared to Care,’ asked whether local carers really are emotionally and practically prepared to care, particularly in a crisis situation.

Lucy Whiteman, development manager at VSA’s Aberdeenshire Carers Support, said:-

“Three in five people will be carers at some point in their lives.  There are a lot of services to support the people being cared for.  But what about supporting the carer when they need it most?

“VSA is absolutely delighted to receive this fund.  It’s open to any carer in the north-east facing difficulty.  We want to reach new carers and help those we’re already working with.  It could be a broken down washing machine and a carer who needs funding for a replacement.  It could fund a laundry service for an unpaid carer who’s too overworked to do it themselves. 

“A family may need help covering the cost of a call support system for the house.  Or it could be transport to hospital visits.  Funds are obviously limited and we’ll support those in greatest need.  But each case will be different but our independent panel will be open to ideas.”

Dorothy McBrearty cares for her father who has Alzheimer’s, Prostate cancer and COPD and her mother who suffers from two types of dementia:-

“This new fund would have been really beneficial for me.  As their only carer, it’s difficult when suffering my own health problems too. When I had to go to the doctor, it could clash with their appointments.  Having emergency help to transport them would have been brilliant.”

“Carers in the north-east must take advantage of this.  Being a carer can make you tired and stressed.  You don’t want any added strain on yourself or the person you’re caring for.  Knowing you can call for help in a crisis would be an amazing comfort.”

Lucy continued:-

“This legacy is going to be a huge help in a time of increased crisis and panic.  Carers are faced with more tough decisions that further impact on their busy and often extremely stressful lives.   But having an opportunity to access a Carers’ Crisis Fund would be a massive relief during a desperate time.

“Caring for someone else can seriously impact your health, relationships, finances and career.  It has a real knock-on effect.  It’s not something you want to handle alone.  The right support and advice is essential.  By getting involved in Carers Week 2013, we can highlight and improve conditions for the 25,000 unpaid carers in Aberdeen city and shire.” 

Tuesday’s event will include a speech from Len Ironside, convenor of Aberdeen City Council’s Social Care and Wellbeing Committee and a personal perspective on preparing to care from local carer Vic Baxter.  There will also be information stalls with specialist staff on hand for advice, open between 11am and 3pm.

VSA’s Carers’ Service is hosting further local events to raise awareness of the support available:

  • VSA’s Forest Grove, a community-based facility for adults aged over 50 who are cared for at home, will host ‘Fun at Forest Grove,’ with drop-in sessions Monday to Friday between 10am and 12 noon for carers and those they care for, complete with social activities, Reiki sessions, stalls and raffles.
  • Fun with Aberdeenshire Carers Support on Thursday 13 June at the Hopeville Social Club, 34 Harlaw Road, Inverurie between 11am and 3pm.  Expecting to attract 100 carers and includes care campaigner Tommy Whitelaw as keynote speaker, refreshments, massage, cookery, floristry, reiki and more.
  • Staffed information display at Bon Accord Shopping Centre, Monday to Friday during Carers Week, between 10am and 4pm.
  • Information display at AsdaAberdeenBeach and Sainsbury’s Berryden throughout Carers Week.

The funding is the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire share of a legacy from the late Mrs Nadia Moulton-Barrett, left to The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Scotland (part of Carers Trust).  The VSA Moulton-Barrett Legacy Fund, known as VSA’s Carers’ Crisis Fund, will be a responsive grant programme to fund items or services for carers facing challenges.

For more information about VSA’s Carers Services, visit its headquarters at 38 Castle Street, call 01224 212021 or visit our website at www.vsa.org.uk.   For more information about Carers’ Week events visit www.carersweek.org

Hospital Visits

 Community, Opinion  4 Responses »
Jun 072013
 

bus-pass-heaven-2
By Trish Healy.

I am tired and thinking about all the things yet to do at home.

I hope tomorrow the bus is on time……..

The stress starts as soon as I ask myself, “shall I take the bus or take the car?”

The bus may or may not turn up on time.  I have stood so many times cursing then calming down with a deep breath or three.

Although it is faster with the bus lanes it costs an arm and a leg every day. You cannot really buy return tickets as the bus often does not appear as is scheduled after visits and then the next bus is a different number altogether and won’t accept your ticket.

What if I get the driver that nearly throws you out of your seat with his dodgy driving, I remember the man behind me swearing at him after being thrown forward for the umpteenth time, or the cheeky young driver that tells me ‘there is a bell’ if I want to get off the bus? There are of course many polite, lovely and safe drivers too.

Well what about the car then?  Traffic build up, irate drivers, cost of petrol, environmentally unfriendly, no parking to be found and then when I do find a space about 20 minutes later it is at the maternity unit and I need to be at the other end of the hospital.

By now I am cursing and wish I had taken the bus!

The bus usually wins, only due to the amazing people I get to meet at the bus-stop and the stories they tell. Now, at the hospital, I have a short time before the wards will let me in so I have the choice of waiting outside the ward or in the hospital cafe that sells nothing suitable for a vegan. Well fruit, there is always fruit.

The café staff seems tired, looking forward to the end of their shift. I am not allowed to eat my homemade sandwich that suits my dietary requirements but they cannot make me one similar… stress.

It is a long day when visiting from 8.30am to 5pm on chemotherapy day. Once I am finally on the ward I get to my partners bedside and he is asleep. Ah well, I will sit and relax for a little while, don’t want to wake him. “Don’t sit on the bed…..”  Oops, forgot.

Feeling like a school kid now, never would think I had been a ward sister in my time.

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I notice the busyness of the ward and note that the people who make you feel best are the domestic and auxiliary staff who just seem to have more time for you.  The trained staff fly about, undertaking medications and admissions, calling doctors and technicians, not at a lot changed since my days.

I have been there a while now and need to use the toilet but, depending on the ward, I have to go down 3 flights of stairs and walk along a long corridor before I get to them. Note to self… do not drink so much when visiting, even if it is a full day.

My thoughts are always with my partner and how he is coping, treatment burns. Unable to speak, I look back at the 8 hours. My head can be full of so many outcomes, I need to cry but there is nowhere to go where I feel safe. Although there is the small hospital chapel, it is nice there, I like the stillness, but I cannot cry and then visit my partner, it would not be fair. It is not about me after all, it is about him.

He smiles when he wakes up and sees me and my thoughts disappear, I smile and love him back.  The visit passes quickly and then we have to say our goodbyes. A nurse has told me I should have left 5 minutes ago.  Off I go to the lifts which sometimes work and sometimes do not, walk the long corridor to sit an hour’s wait at the bus stop because it has not arrived again.

I am tired and thinking about all the things yet to do at home.

I hope tomorrow the bus is on time……..

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